DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL

Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc

Real farmers, real conversations, practical insights and inspiring stories.Join Al Micallef and special guests to help unlock your farm's production potential. Whether it's in relation to drought or economic shifts, this podcast is your go-to for developing resilience in agriculture. This podcast is made possible by the Future Drought Fund Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program co-funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

  1. DIGGING DEEPER - Future-Proofing with Genetics: Insights from John Keiller

    1D AGO

    DIGGING DEEPER - Future-Proofing with Genetics: Insights from John Keiller

    Send us Fan Mail Host Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners and outlining more practical guests plus monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morgs (Elders) on livestock markets. He interviews John Keiller, stud principal of Keiller, Cashmore Park in western Victoria, about his background in agriculture, mentors, and a data-driven approach to sheep breeding. John describes their operation (about 7,000 adult ewes, producing around 13,000 lambs, plus a smaller cattle herd), his early performance recording adoption through LambPlan, and major genetic gains across traits including growth, reproduction, fecal egg count, carcass, and new measures like tail length, dag scores, shedding, and genomics. He discusses developing “Nudie”/southern shedding sheep since 2003–2007, their current performance relative to maternal composites, and plans to close the gap. The episode covers why Cashmore genetics perform well in Gippsland, joining ewe lambs, scanning/marking benchmarks, and concludes with John’s advice to balance work with life and details of October ram sales and November/December AuctionsPlus ewe sales. 00:00 Welcome Back 2026 01:02 Meet John Keiller 01:30 Why Agriculture 02:40 Farm Scale Today 03:03 Ag College Lessons 04:07 Mentors And Data 04:58 Stud Origins 06:23 LambPlan Trait Evolution 08:02 What We Record 09:22 Nudie Sheep Program 12:45 Gippsland Trial Results 14:47 Joining Ewe Lambs 17:17 Scanning And Marking 20:07 Advice And Wrap Up 21:08 Sales Dates And Outro

    23 min
  2. DIGGING DEEPER - Farm Safety to Calving Strategies: Monthly Update With Chelsea

    MAY 14

    DIGGING DEEPER - Farm Safety to Calving Strategies: Monthly Update With Chelsea

    Send us Fan Mail Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners and outlining plans for more practical guests, more local producers, and regular monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morgs (Elders) on livestock markets. Chelsea recounts a recent cattle-yard concussion after a cow kicked a crush door into her leg, causing her to fall and hit her head; the discussion stresses gate and crush safety, fatigue risk (especially with the last animals), and hazards like engaged head-bail lever arms, overcrowding races, and using gates as protection. Chelsea then covers spring-calver preparation: fetal energy demand rises about three months pre-calving; target body condition score at calving is 3–3.5; supplement decisions depend on feed and condition, with silage testing recommended. They discuss dairy lead-feeding, DCAD, and potassium effects on milk fever risk. Grass tetany risk rises after cold periods followed by warm days due to potassium inhibiting magnesium absorption; prevention via magnesium licks and management is emphasized. Chelsea notes preg testing can be done up to calving, outlines profitability and management benefits (including aging and drafting), and mentions typical timing and scanning windows. Chelsea’s quote: “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” 00:00 Welcome Back 2026 01:02 Chelsea Returns Monthly 01:48 Crush Door Concussion 06:42 Concussion Stories Explained 09:28 Yard Safety Wakeup 11:24 Better Yards Better Flow 15:06 Gate Handling Hazards 16:53 Pre Calving Nutrition Timing 18:15 Body Condition Targets 20:01 Lead Feeding And DCAD 23:37 Dry Cow Supplements 24:47 Silage Testing Basics 25:21 Silage Changes Over Time 25:54 Grass Tetany Risk 28:04 Symptoms Versus Staggers 29:19 Treatment And Prevention 31:18 Forecast And Grazing Tactics 32:35 Potash And High Risk Paddocks 34:24 Safety Around Affected Cows 35:05 Preg Testing Timing 36:25 Why Preg Test 39:13 Early Scanning And Rechecks 41:18 Logistics And Throughput 43:12 Quote And Wrap Up 44:30 Final Thanks And Sponsors

    45 min
  3. DIGGING DEEPER - Soil Solutions: Enhancing Gippsland's Productivity with Brett Tonkins and Simon Faulkner

    MAY 7

    DIGGING DEEPER - Soil Solutions: Enhancing Gippsland's Productivity with Brett Tonkins and Simon Faulkner

    Send us Fan Mail Al welcomes listeners back to Digging Deeper Ag Chats for 2026, thanking supporters and outlining plans for more practical guests, more local producers, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morgs (Elders) on livestock markets. Brett then reviews Gippsland seasonal conditions and provides current fertiliser pricing and availability, noting high costs and supply constraints driven by Middle East production and freight issues, and discusses impacts of diesel prices and global affordability. He explains soil fertility (physical, biological, chemical), compares conventional fertilisers with manures/composts, and presents chook manure plus targeted foliar nutrients as a cost-competitive alternative based on soil tests. The episode then shifts to Simon Faulkner and Trevor Caithness discussing an MLA-funded Red Gum Plains subsoil amelioration project focused on placing amendments at depth to draw roots down, unlock subsoil moisture, and improve productivity, with results often emerging after 2–3 years and potential biomass gains up to 50% in grazing systems. 00:00 Welcome to 2026 01:46 Season outlook Gippsland 03:54 Fertiliser prices update 05:07 Supply shocks and forecasts 10:40 Soil fertility basics 12:36 Manures and composts 16:09 Foliar and liquid options 17:23 Bang for buck plan 21:21 Soil project introduction 22:37 Subsoil amelioration explained 26:33 Results and grazing management 32:47 Future research and wrap 35:38 Final thanks and credits

    36 min
  4. DIGGING DEEPER - Navigating Dry Times: Insights With Morgan

    APR 29

    DIGGING DEEPER - Navigating Dry Times: Insights With Morgan

    Send us Fan Mail Host Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners and outlining plans for more practical guests, more local producers, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morgs (Elders) on livestock markets. In this episode, Al and Mor discuss recent warm, windy weather in Gippsland, the possibility it’s a seasonal blip, and drought preparedness, including hay on hand, improved water systems, feeding infrastructure, earlier culling, and selling stock before conditions worsen. Morgs notes increased investment in feeders and grain bins and says dry times can also create buying opportunities. They review market trends: lighter steers have softened (some under $5/kg), cows have dropped sharply due to heavy northern NSW turnoff, and processors are near capacity with booking delays; they also discuss the China safeguard tariff threshold. Sheep and lamb markets are strong, including a Bairnsdale heavy lamb record around $350, with forward contracts filling quickly. The episode closes with Morg’s Mike Tyson quote about plans changing when adversity hits, mentions an upcoming “finance and feeding for farmers” event, and includes gift banter. 00:00 Welcome to 2026 01:03 Meet Morgs 01:15 Season Outlook Talk 02:33 Dry Winter Signals 03:59 Drought Prep Tips 05:51 Feed Infrastructure Trends 06:23 Opportunities in Dry 07:05 Cattle Market Update 08:48 Processing Capacity Pressures 09:56 China Tariff Explained 11:22 Sheep Market Records 12:26 Forward Contracts and Bookings 14:09 Dry Season Outlook 15:30 Market Prices Update 16:20 Sheep Talk and Banter 16:58 Monthly Quote Segment 18:24 Birthday Gifts Unboxing 20:23 Listener Wrap and Event Plug 21:59 Final Sign Off

    23 min
  5. DIGGING DEEPER - Liver Fluke and Livestock Management with Chelsea Hair

    APR 23

    DIGGING DEEPER - Liver Fluke and Livestock Management with Chelsea Hair

    Send us Fan Mail Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners for the podcast’s first full calendar year and outlining plans for more practical guests, more local producer stories, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) with veterinary updates and Mor (Elders) with livestock market reports. In the first remote-recorded episode, Chelsea shares a personal update about recovering from a broken toe and managing horse handling and footwear, then explains equine Cushing’s disease as a lifelong hormone-driven condition linked to a functional brain tumor, risks around insulin dysregulation and laminitis, diagnosis via ACTH blood testing, and management with daily medication and low-sugar feeding. The discussion shifts to livestock liver fluke: its snail-dependent lifecycle, risk environments (slow-flowing water, marshy areas, irrigation), signs such as ill thrift and bottle jaw, links to black disease, and recommended strategic drenching timings, plus cautions about interpreting abattoir health codes and using resources like Wormboss and NSW DPI fact sheets. 00:00 Welcome to 2026 01:03 Remote Podcast Setup 01:42 Conference Trip Chat 02:44 Toe Injury Recovery 06:10 Horse Training Goals 08:51 Cushings Explained 12:50 Fluke Season Overview 13:47 Fluke Lifecycle and Snails 17:05 Testing and Biosecurity 20:49 Signs and Complications 24:39 Drench Strategy and Resistance 31:04 Abattoir Reports Decoded 33:46 Resources and Wrap Up 35:08 Quote and Final Thanks

    37 min
  6. DIGGING DEEPER - From Seeds to Success: Grant Sims on Innovative Farming

    APR 16

    DIGGING DEEPER - From Seeds to Success: Grant Sims on Innovative Farming

    Send us Fan Mail Host Al opens 2026’s Digging Deeper by thanking listeners, announcing more local producers, and adding monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morgs (Elders) on livestock markets. Guest Grant Sims, a sixth-generation farmer from Echuca and qualified electrician, describes returning to the family cropping/livestock farm in 2006 and applying a “trace the cause” mindset to reduce symptom-treating inputs. He outlines transitioning from high synthetic fertiliser and treated seed toward bare seed with seed priming, liquid carbon and microbial products, foliar nutrition guided by soil/tissue/sap and Brix testing, and reduced fungicide/insecticide use while retaining selective herbicides. Sims discusses intercropping/companion planting (e.g., wheat with clover, canola with legumes) to lower pest pressure and nitrogen needs, using weeds as soil indicators, and timing foliar applications to correct deficiencies and improve resilience, animal performance, and food nutrient density. He encourages starting small, testing, and gradual change; he also notes his business Down Under Ag supplies seed mixes and alternative fertilisers. 00:00 Welcome Back 2026 01:04 Meet Grant Sims 01:51 Electrician Mindset 03:54 Questioning Sprays 05:59 Minerals Over Time 07:11 Observation Habit 09:08 Next Generation 09:46 Autumn Planting Plan 10:49 Weaning Off Synthetics 12:57 Seed Priming Basics 16:08 Priming Recipes 19:06 Multi Species Cropping 20:43 Intercropping Yield Wins 21:09 Diversity Versus Machinery 21:57 Chemicals With Restraint 23:07 Weeds As Soil Signals 25:32 Foliar Sprays 101 28:19 Timing Weather And Risk 29:39 Test Driven Nutrition 31:12 Brix Microbes And Grazing 34:57 Nitrogen Dilution Effect 36:43 Food Quality Mission 38:49 Transition Advice And Wrap

    42 min
  7. DIGGING DEEPER - From Vet to Farmer: Rod Manning's Story - Part Two

    APR 9 ·  BONUS

    DIGGING DEEPER - From Vet to Farmer: Rod Manning's Story - Part Two

    Send us Fan Mail In a discussion about farm business performance, the speaker explains ballpark cost-of-production calculations using accountant figures and cautions that benchmarking can mislead because farms differ by growth stage and maintenance investment. He says their operation is increasingly a “land business” as lifestyle-driven prices distort productive value, making expansion difficult and prompting thoughts about relocating capital north despite drought risk. He emphasizes labor efficiency—top producers running far higher DSE per labor unit—supported by infrastructure, scale, and cash flow, and argues the key success ingredient is knowledge and paid expertise when needed. For an upcoming pasture talk, he describes shifting from a “cow hat” to a “grass hat,” focusing on perennial pastures (notably Polaris) to double winter growth and carrying capacity via rotational grazing, nitrogen and foliar inputs, and careful management of clover and fertility, while mitigating grass tetany with bore water and supplements. The conversation also covers his daily working-dog training, yard weaning to improve cattle quietness and labor efficiency, and advice to his younger self: pursue the dream, keep learning, and handle people better. 00:00 Cost of Production Basics 01:53 Benchmarking Reality Check 02:48 Land Prices and Lifestyle Money 04:01 Growth Plans and Expansion Dilemma 05:35 Labor Efficiency and Scale 07:45 Cash Flow and Critical Mass 10:40 Grass Hat Profit Drivers 12:21 Polaris and Winter Feed Boost 14:09 Storing Feed on Cows 15:51 Rotational Grazing Rules 20:42 Fertiliser and Foliar Strategy 21:14 Managing Grass Tetany Risk 22:40 Grass Tetany Explained 23:22 Salt and Magnesium Routine 23:48 Drought Water Realities 24:35 Perennial Pasture Mix 26:02 Establishing Polaris Successfully 27:51 Grazing and Seeding Strategy 28:47 Working Dogs and Trials 30:35 Yard Weaning with Dogs 32:49 Training Young Dogs 37:02 Advice to Younger Self 38:35 Final Thanks and Wrap

    39 min
  8. DIGGING DEEPER - Cattle, Climate, and Community: Easter Conversations with Morgs

    APR 2

    DIGGING DEEPER - Cattle, Climate, and Community: Easter Conversations with Morgs

    Send us Fan Mail Host Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners and outlining more practical guests, more local producers, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) with veterinary updates and Morgan Davies (Elders) with livestock market updates. Morgan reviews the move of the mountain calf sales to the Bensdale facility, noting strong results, accurate weighing and presentation, good seasonal rain, few cattle health issues, no cattle getting out, and appreciation for locals and staff. They discuss strong lamb and sheep prices (including heavy lambs and cull sheep), solid cattle pricing, and the impact of higher diesel on freight costs. Morgan says Middle East disruption has slowed air freight for sheep and lamb, but believes global protein demand remains. They promote a May 6 red-meat marketing/selling event and cost-of-production sessions, debate bull replacement economics, preview Easter events and Morgan’s 30th birthday trip to the Swifts Creek races, warn spring could tighten and dry, and predict local fuel may reach $3.35–$3.40 and possibly $4.00. 00:00 Welcome Back 2026 01:07 Meet Morgan Davies 01:14 Easter Road Banter 02:10 NSA Move To Bairnsdale 03:40 Sale Highlights And Rain 04:34 Smooth Sale Thanks Crew 05:27 Sheep And Cattle Prices 06:16 Diesel Hits Freight Costs 07:31 Middle East Conflict Impact 09:39 Upcoming Marketing Events 10:51 Facebook Warriors Callout 11:50 Bull Resale Value Math 12:37 Birthday Race Day Plans 13:15 Easter Events Rundown 13:53 Season Weather Outlook 15:14 Market Prices Update 16:28 Fuel Price Predictions 17:50 Final Advice and Signoff

    19 min
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About

Real farmers, real conversations, practical insights and inspiring stories.Join Al Micallef and special guests to help unlock your farm's production potential. Whether it's in relation to drought or economic shifts, this podcast is your go-to for developing resilience in agriculture. This podcast is made possible by the Future Drought Fund Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program co-funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

Information

  • Creator
    Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL
  • Show Website
    DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL

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